Objective:To investigate the effects of modified endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (mERAT) on the treatment of children with different severities of acute appendicitis.Methods:This study was a case-control study. A total of 586 children with acute appendicitis, who were admitted to the Pediatric Department of Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University between January 2019 and November 2023, were selected as the research subjects. According to the severity of the disease, the patients were divided into simple appendicitis group, suppurative appendicitis group and perforated appendicitis group. The baseline data, hospitalization treatment and costs, outcomes, and recurrence in each group were analyzed, and the difference in the effectiveness of mERAT between the groups were compared by Kruskal-Wallis H test and χ2 test. Results:Among 586 children, there were 338 males and 248 females. The age at onset was 7.0 (4.6, 9.4) years. There were 475 cases of simple appendicitis, 78 cases of suppurative appendicitis, and 33 cases of perforated appendicitis. There were no significant differences in age and gender among the three groups ( F=0.59, χ2=3.31, both P>0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in body temperature, white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, nausea or vomiting, right lower abdominal pain, umbilical pain, right lower abdominal tenderness, and right lower abdominal rebound pain ( H=7.56, 161.52, 169.11, and 169.61, χ2=12.05, 13.82, 12.05, 7.74, 20.35, and 94.61, all P<0.05). Also, the treatment time, postoperative hospital stay, total hospital stay, and cost showed statistically significant differences ( H=4.70, 33.66, 34.99, 30.37, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the initial treatment success rate (98.1% (466/475) vs. 98.7% (77/78) vs. 90.9% (30/33), P=0.057). During the 30 (23, 36) months of follow-up, the recurrence rate was 7.9% (35/433) in the simple appendicitis group, 20.8% (15/72) in the suppurative appendicitis group, and 30.0% (9/30) in the perforated appendicitis group, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=23.56, P<0.001). Among the children with recurrent appendicitis, 15 cases still chose mERAT, of them 11 cases (31.2%) had simple appendicitis, 2 cases (2/15) had suppurative appendicitis, and 2 cases (2/9) had perforated appendicitis.The latest time to recurrence in the 3 groups was 32, 35 and 10 months, respectively. Conclusion:Treatment with mERAT has a good effect in pediatric simple appendicitis, but has a higher recurrence rate despite a better initial treatment success rate in suppurative appendicitis and perforated appendicitis.

Objective:To explore the correlation between functional constipation （FC）and its related factors with acute appendicitis（AA）in children，so as to provide a reference for the prevention and clinical diagnosis and treatment of children with AA. Methods:A case-control study was conducted on 170 children diagnosed with AA in the Department of Pediatrics，the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University，from August 2022 to March 2023，and 170 non-AA children during the same period were selected as control objects.The clinical data，incidence of FC，symptoms related to FC，Bristol stool classification，past constipation history and other information were compared between two groups.Results:The incidence of FC in 170 children with AA was 22.9%（39/170），which was significantly higher than 10.6%（18/170）in the non-AA group（ P<0.01）；For children under four years old，the proportion of faecal retention in AA group was higher than that in non-AA group（25.6% vs. 9.3%, P<0.05）；For children ≥ 4 years old，the proportion of faecal retention and dyschezia in AA group were higher than those in non-AA group（28.2% vs. 6.9%，29.0% vs. 16.4%，respectively,all P<0.05）.The proportion of past constipation history in AA group was higher than that in non-AA group（29.4% vs.14.1%）.The duration of constipation in AA group was longer than that in non-AA group [0.00（0.00，1.25）month vs. 0.00（0.00，0.00）month,all P<0.01].The proportion of children with low Bristol stool classification in AA group was higher than that in non-AA group（ P<0.01）.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that faecal retention[ OR=6.186（95% CI 2.336~16.380）] and long constipation time [ OR=1.310（95% CI 1.095~1.567）]were independent risk factors for AA in children（all P<0.05）. Conclusion:The incidence of faecal retention in children with AA is higher than that in children without AA，and the median duration of constipation is longer than that in children without AA.Fecal retention and long-term constipation are independent risk factors for AA in children.

Objective:To explore the clinical features of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) without Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection and its correlation with metabolic syndrome. Methods:From June 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, a total of 966 patients diagnosed with CAG at Army Medical Center of PLA (Chongqing Daping Hospital) were enrolled. All the patients underwent 14C-urea breath test and gastroscopy. The patients were divided into infected group (461 patients with H. pylori-positive CAG) and uninfected group (505 patients with H. pylori-negative CAG). Relevant data including age, body mass index, degree of gastric atrophy (Kimura-Takemoto classification), metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia were collected and compared between the 2 groups. Independent sample t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between relevant indicators and the degree of gastric atrophy in the uninfected group patients. Results:The proportion of patients aged 71 to 80 years old in the uninfected group was higher than that in the infected group (17.0%, 86/505 vs.10.4%, 48/461), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.62, P=0.002). The degree of gastric atrophy was compared between the 2 groups, the proportions of C1 and C2 patients in the uninfected group were higher than those in the infected group (53.5%, 270/505 vs. 46.4%, 214/461; 34.1%, 172/505 vs. 26.24%, 121/461), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.78 and 6.96, both P<0.05). The proportions of patients with metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and obesity in the uninfected group were higher than those in the infected group (31.2%, 20/64 vs.14.8%, 9/61; 33.5%, 62/185 vs. 21.5%, 34/158; 31.3%, 67/214 vs. 7.8%, 36/461; 36.7%, 22/60 vs.19.7%, 12/61), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.77, 6.08, 4.95, and 4.32, all P<0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood glucose, and body mass index were all correlated with the degree of gastric atrophy ( r=-0.15, 0.20, and 0.31, all P<0.05). Conclusion:CAG without H. pylori infection may be related to physiological aging, and the degree of gastric atrophy is C1 and C2, which is related to metabolic syndrome.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion in relieving rat intestinal inflammation by focusing on the neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)in Crohn disease(CD)development. Methods:Rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a herb-partitioned moxibustion group,and a mesalazine group.The CD rat model was prepared with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid except for rats in the normal group.Rats in the normal group and model group did not receive any treatment but had the same fixation as the other groups.Rats in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group received herb-partitioned moxibustion at Qihai(CV6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST25).Rats in the mesalazine group received intragastric administration of mesalazine enteric-coated tablets.The general situation of rats in each group was recorded,and the histopathological changes in the colon were observed and scored by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The serum concentrations of NETs DNA(NETs-DNA),neutrophil elastase(NE)-DNA,and myeloperoxidase(MPO)-DNA were detected by ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the citrullinated histone 3(citH3),MPO,and NE protein and mRNA expression levels in rat colon tissue were observed by immunofluorescence and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with the normal group,the mucosal ulcer reached the muscularis,the epithelium was incomplete,the goblet cells decreased obviously with significant inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon;the colonic mucosa damage index(CMDI)score increased significantly(P<0.01);the serum NETs-DNA,NE-DNA,and MPO-DNA concentrations increased(P<0.05);the NE,citH3,and MPO protein and mRNA expression in the colonic tissue increased significantly in the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the mucosal epithelium in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the mesalazine group was repaired and the goblet cells increased with a few infiltrating inflammatory cells in the colon;the CMDI score decreased(P<0.01);the serum NETs-DNA,NE-DNA,and MPO-DNA concentrations decreased(P<0.05);the NE,citH3,and MPO protein and mRNA expression in the colonic tissue was down-regulated(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion:Herb-partitioned moxibustion reduced the serum NETs complex and inhibited the protein and mRNA expression of NETs complex in the colon tissue,which may be one mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion in relieving colon mucosal inflammation in CD.

LCH-2011 regimen)was referenced,and the targeted drug Dabrafenib was added to treat those with the BRAF-V600E mutation.The clinical characteristics,BRAF-V600E mutation status,and treatment response between the single-system LCH(SS-LCH)group and the multisystem LCH(MS-LCH)group were summarized.Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method,and the Log-Rank test was used to compare the survival rates between the two groups.Results This study included a total of 31 cases,with 18 males and 13 females.The median age of onset was 10 months(ranging from 1 to 84 months).9 cases were SS-LCH,and 22 cases were MS-LCH,with 5 cases experiencing pituitary involvement/diabetes insipidus.Among the 27 cases that underwent BRAF-V600E mutation testing,20 were positive(3 cases in the SS-LCH group,with a positivity rate of 37.5%;17 cases in the MS-LCH group,with a positivity rate of 89.5%).The difference in the BRAF-V600E mutation positivity rate between the two groups was statistically significant(P = 0.011).The median follow-up time was 24 months(ranging from 3 to 62 months).The effective rate after 6 weeks of induction chemotherapy was 88.9%in the SS-LCH group(8/9)and 81.8%in the MS-LCH group(18/22).The observed progression-free rate at the end of the observation period reached 29.0%(9/31).All three deaths occurred in the MS-LCH group with involvement of high-risk organs.There was no statistically significant difference in the overall survival rate between the SS-LCH and MS-LCH groups,as well as between the BRAF-V600E mutation positive and negative groups(χ2 = 1.156,0.437;P = 0.282,0.508).Conclusion LCH in children is more common in infants and young children,with a high incidence of BRAF-V600E gene mutation in affected children,and is often seen in MS-LCH.Dabrafenib may help improve the prognosis of children with BRAF-V600E mutation.

Since the outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), viral strains have mutated and evolved. Vaccine research is the most direct and effective way to control COVID-19. According to different production mechanisms, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines included inactivated virus vaccine, live attenuated vaccine, mRNA vaccine, DNA vaccine, viral vector vaccine, virus-like particle vaccine and protein subunit vaccine. Among them, viral protein subunit vaccine has a wide application prospect due to its high safety and effectiveness. Viral nucleocapsid protein has high immunogenicity and low variability which could be a new direction for vaccine production. We summarized the current development of vaccine research by reviewing the current progress, vaccine safety and vaccine immune efficiency. It is hoped that the proposed possible development strategies could provide a reference for epidemic prevention work in future.
Humans ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Protein Subunits ; Vaccines, DNA ; Nucleocapsid Proteins

OBJECTIVE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)is a fetal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of upper and lower motor neu-rons,leading to skeletal muscle atrophy,weakness,and paralysis.Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in ALS pathogenesis,including the familial forms of the disease arising from mutations in the gene coding for superox-ide dismutase(SOD1).Additionally,the abnormal accu-mulation of TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 ku(TDP-43)is a pathological feature present in almost all patients,even though the pathogenesis of ALS is unclear.Current-ly,there is no drug that can cure ALS/FTLD.Tetramethyl-pyrazine nitrone(TBN)is a derivative of tetramethylapyr-azine,derived from traditional Chinese medicine Ligusti-cum chuanxiong,which has been extensively proven to have therapeutic effects on various models of neurode-generative diseases.METHODS We investigated the therapeutic effect of TBN in the SOD1G93A and TDP-43M337V ALS mouse models.In the SOD1G93A trans-genic mouse model,TBN was administered to mice via intraperitoneal or intragastric injection after the onset of motor deficits.We injected the TDP-43M337V virus into the striatum of mice unilaterally and bilaterally,and then administered TBN 30 mg·kg-1 intragastrically to observe changes in behavior and survival rate of mice.RESULTS TBN slowed the progression of motor neuron disease,as evidenced by improved motor performance,reduced spi-nal motor neuron loss and associated glial response,and decreased skeletal muscle fiber denervation and fibrosis.TBN treatment activated mitochondrial antioxidant activity through the PGC-1α/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and decreased the expression of human SOD1.In the mice with unilateral injection of TDP-43M337V into the striatum,TBN improved motor deficits and cognitive impairment in the early stages of disease progression.In mice with bilateral injection of TDP-43M337V into the striatum,TBN not only improved motor function but also prolonged survival.Moreover,we demonstrate that its therapeutic effect may be through activation of the Akt/mTOR/GSK-3β and AMPK/PGC-1α/Nrf2 signaling pathways.CONCLUSION TBN shows promise as an agent for the treatment of ALS/FTLD.TBN is currently undergoing clinical investigation for several indications,including a Phase Ⅱ trial for ALS.

OBJECTIVE To study the role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase （PI3K） on sunitinib-induced myocardial systolic dysfunction. METHODS Using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes （hiPSC-CMS） as objects， the contractile force of cardiomyocytes was measured by CardioExcyte 96 system， and IC50 of sunitinib was calculated after hiPSC- CMS were treated with sunitinib at different concentrations [0 （control）， 0.5， 1， 3， 5， 10 μmol/L] for 24 hours. The effects of sunitinib （3.14 μmol/L） on the contractile frequency of cardiomyocytes， calcium transient amplitude and calcium transient recovery time course， mRNA expression of myocardial injury markers atrial natriuretic peptide （ANP）， brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） and β-myosin heavy chain （β-MHC） were detected. PI3K activator 3，4，5-triphosphate phos-phatidylinositol （PIP3， 1 μmol/L） and sunitinib were used to intervene in hiPSC-CMs jointly， so as to investigate the role of PI3K in the myocardial systolic dysfunction induced by sunitinib. RESULTS Sunitinib inhibited the contractile force of hiPSC-CMs in a concentration-dependent manner. IC50 of sunitinib was 3.14 μmol/L. After intervention with 3.14 μmol/L sunitinib， the contractile frequency of hiPSC-CMs and calcium transient amplitude were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the duration of calcium transient recovery was prolonged significantly （P＜0.05）， and mRNA expressions of ANP， BNP and β-MHC were significantly increased （P＜0.01）. After PI3K was activated with PIP3， the contractile force of hiPSC-CMs was increased significantly （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Activating PI3K activity is a potential molecular mechanism to improve myocardial toxicity induced by sunitinib.

Background:There is no comparison of the current status of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection in different ethnic groups in terms of families and their individuals.Aims:To investigated for the first time the status of Hp infection in Tibetan and Han Chinese families at the household level.Methods:A questionnaire was used to investigate factors associated with Hp in 50 Tibetan families in Ya'an,Sichuan Province,and 50 Han Chinese families in Chongqing Municipality.13C-urea breath test was used to detect Hp infection.Results:The individual and household Hp positivity rates of the Tibetan population in southwest China were 47.10%and 80%,which were significantly higher than those of the Han Chinese,which were 27.81%and 58%(P<0.05).However,the difference between Han and Tibetan in individual and household infection rates was not statistically significant.There are differences between Han Chinese and Tibetans in terms of infection status,geography,economic conditions,living habits and levels of hygiene.Infection was concentrated in certain family groups rather than being evenly distributed in the population.Conclusions:The current detection rate of Hp infection in individuals and families of Tibetan residents is significantly higher than that of Han Chinese,while the proportion of infected individuals is not statistically different.Transmission of Hp is characterized by family aggregation.There are differences in infection status,geographical environment,economic conditions,living habits and hygiene levels between Chinese and Tibetan families.

Objective:To discuss the occurrence, treatment and prevention of benign anastomotic stenosis after radical resection for rectal cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 63 patients with benign anastomotic stenosis from Jan. 2016 to Dec.2020 at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Renji Hospital Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, were retrospectively analyzed, including general conditions, intraoperative conditions, postoperative complications, anastomotic stenosis, treatment process and outcome. The relationship between stenosis type and treatment and outcome were analyzed.The measurement data obeying normal distribution was expressed by ( Mean± SD), and the t test was used comparison between groups. The chi-square test was used comparison between enumeration data. Results:Of all the 63 patients, 22 (34.9%) cases presented with membranous stenosis, 30 (47.6%) cases with tubular stenosis, and 11 (17.5%) cases with diffused stenosis. Three of the 9 patients with high stenosis underwent balloon dilatation through endoscopy, 3 were placed with self-expandable metal stent and the rest 3 patients underwent resection and reconstruction of the anastomosis. All the 54 patients with low stenosis underwent digital anal expansion, and finally the effective rate was 53.7% (29/54). Endoscopic balloon dilatation was successfully performed in 8 cases, including 4 cases were placed metal stent throngh endoscopy. Eight patients underwent trans-anal stricturotomy. In 5 patients with low diffused stenosis, either ileostomy was preserved or permanent colostomy was performed due to failure to treatment. There were more male patients, protective ileostomy, anastomotic leakage and low stenosis in patients failed to treatment than in the cured patients ( P>0.05). However, all the 5 patients who failed to treatment were suffered from diffused stenosis, and the difference was statistically significant compared with those who were cured ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Postoperative anastomotic stricture after anterior rectectomy requires different treatment strategies according to the location and types of stricture. Endoscopic balloon dilatation is preferred for high stenosis, and metal stents can be placed optionally. Digital anal expansion is preferred for low anastomotic stenosis, and endoscopic or minimally invasive transanal surgery is feasible if digital anal expansion fails.